Flexible joint



Oct. 2, 1923. 1,469,448,

E. S. SEAVEY FLEXIBLE JOINT Filed April '5. 1922 remitente. a, ieee;

nnrrna's. snavnnjbr Jonnsfrown, rnnivsrrvenm. f

Y Aspiration nea Aprire, 1922; serial nefsieeiai Be it known thatl,ELMER S. -SnAvEYya citizen of the United States, and; residingfin thecity of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State .of Pennsylvania,have4v invented certainnew and-useful mprovements in Flexibledoints andI hereby declarethe justed., or angularly adjusted position relative toeach other. Y Y

One of the objectsl of myinve'ntion is to provide'a very simple andeffective form of r'lexible clamping connection between two elements, sothat the velements maybe readily shifted longitudinally relative Vtoeach other land-as readilyclamped so firmly in their adjusted positionsthat they'can not be accidentally shifted therefrom. 1

y'rinother objectof my invention is to provide a LleXiblejointh'avingfmeans for clamp# ing` two elements in their longitudinallyad,- justed position, sov constructed as to permit the. elements'to berotatedrelative toeach other so as to secureany desired angularadjustment of the elements-:without however, releasing any of thepressure of vthe cla ip, and without in any wayy affecting the clampingYaction. l' i A further object of my" invention .is to provide aconstruction in Ywhich two elementsmay bel moved-to any desired positionvertically or horizontally by .aV slight push or pull, and so formedthat the elements will remain in their adjusted position untilmovedagain. 1 A f v Another object oit the invention isto provide a.construction of this character in which the element-s be moved forwardor backward to shorten or lengthen them relative to the pivotal centersof thev elements by' slightly releasing` the clampingI pressure;

A further object Vor the invention is to pro-- videv a flexible clampingoint in-vwhichthe gripping or .clampingj power of Vaj .screwthreadedclampingfbolt is used; to simulf taneously clamp both elements supportedby the flexible Vclamping joint, the device beingA jthreadedclampingbolttand act as gripping sup-porting element.

`so formed that theslaclrening or tightening up of this onescrew-threaded clamping-bolt j will act to release'.both elements topermit of theirlongitudinal adjustment, or will' Y eo tighten up bothelements. i Another 0b ect of m invention is-,toV construct' a flexibleclamping joint,'in,such' a manner that either ofthe clamping members maybe rotated without unscrewing or affecting` the clamping action of thenut(V Still another object of the invention is to. vprovide afleXiblejoint connection -in which the head "of v this screw-threaded clamping.-

bolt is so: constructed as to act'l as .oneoi the aws Ofi the Aclamping`member; The .head

of the screw-tlneaded clamping-bolt being Aformed with a'perforation or'eyethrough which one ot' the supporting elements pass, While abridgebloclr engages the side ofthe hea-d of the screw-threadedclamping-bol@ having a perforation' therein on opposite sides of thehead of Athe screwfithreaded clamping-bolt which register withtheperforation or eye in the .head or" the. screwjaws for the sameelements. A split clamping-block having perforation therethroughextending transversely to the split `formed in the block, and having theshank-loiu the screw-threaded clamping-bolt extending Vthro-ugh thesaine, and formed with jaws therein for receiving and holding'the otherA washer is keyed to the screw-threaded clamping-boltand engages`theside of the split clamping-block -f opposite the head of .thescrew-threaded clamping-bolt` .and a nutrie' screwedon thescrew-threaded end of the boltfor increas-k ing or Vdecreasingi'rictional engagement between the clamping members and the sup:-

porting; .elements', in such a manner that'.l

when the parts are assembled' and the nutis screwed tight onthescrew-threadedclamp'- Qing-bolt thejawsv oir-.the split clampingv-4 Yblock firmly grip the .supporting elementV mounted therein while at thesame time the perforationin the head of the screw-threaded clamping-boltand the perforations inthe bridge-block are forced inoppos'ite direc,-LAionsv-iirmly gripping the other .supporting element; f

. Having thus given a general description `or my invention7 l will now,fin' orde-r to make thel same more clear, referto the accompanying onesheet of drawings, 1n which like characters of reference indicate like ipartsz.- l

Figurelfisia side elevation. of an electric Vlight bracket illustratingone forni of `application for which my inventioninay, be used.

, FigureV 2 is a side elevation illustrating Y Y gone of flexible jointI may use drawnon a larger -scalethan that shown inFigure 1.

' Figure is a verticallongitudinal sec-v tional elevation taken on theline Ill- Hint `Figure 12, the; .screw-threaded clamping-bolt .beinO'shown in elevation.

Y Figure is a transverse,sectional elevation Figure 5 isavertical'longitudinal secreceiving the keyprojection 2O formed in- .l

r`fl() tionall elevationof a niodiiied forni' of flexible oint l may,use.

Figure 6 is a `top plan VView of the leXible joint illustrated in Figure5.

y Figure 7 detail side elevationY show' 'ing ano-therv forni/otbridge-block.

Figure S is' a vertical longitudinalr sec- Y tional elevationillustrating an inverted cup shaped bridge-block Vwiththe headrofthe'Screw-threaded' clamping-bolt formed to lit therein. l

" Figure lis a topple-n `View of the flexible joint'illustra-ted inFigure 8. A l' Figure 10 is a top` Aplan View of another forniof'bridge-blcck l niay u. e, which may 'he alplain-Vwasher, or haveupwardly' extendin engaging surfaces as shown in Figur-e 11. 'ligure11'is a Vdetail sectional elevation, the section beine' taken centrallythrough the;annularbridge-block or washer shown in Figurev '10, andyFigure 12'is a detail side elevation villustrating a rectangulartorniofV washer or lbric ge-block bcariii'gv nieinber may use.

VReferring-now to the characters oit reference on thedrawings, and firstto Figures '1,

2,8 and L1, the nuineral 1 indicates the device to which the standard isattached, which mayb-e a table or bench, as Shown, or it may be a lathe,lor an7 other machine or the like, to which is secured the clamp 2, bymeans-oiE theadjustable thumb-screw 3. To the. clamp 2 is secured',` astanchird, extending vertically therefrom upon which is lmounted myflexible-joint, con'iprisingr a'b'olt 5, having-its head 6 preferably'icornied cylindrical trans- Verselyto the length of the bolt'asillustrated in"Figures2,3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12, with an eyeor-perforationj extending longitudi- "nally entirely' through the headof thev bolt as shown. ATheends of the cylindrical head Got thebolt 5-are: flat and are preferably made `flush' with' the sides or the shankot the bolt, "to engage the upwardlyextending legs'S of a Vbridge-block`9, having perforationstherei'n as at 10, which are in align" nient.withthe Yeye or perforation '7 in the head othebo t through which thestandard 4lextends and is irinlyh-eld when thenut on 'the bolt 'isscrewedV tight therein,` 'hie Urace' or rasee/ie bridge-block 9 has Vaperforation 11 for the passage of the shank ot thebolt 5,y and-a flat`friction.bottone face 12, for engaging areplit"` V clamping-block 13,mounted on the shank of the bolt and which'y has apperforationtherethro-ugh as at '14, for' that purpose, trans# vversely-to the lineof the plit 15,;and arc- V shaped jaws 16, formed therein at one vside:of `,thelbolt foriengagingdthe bracket arm 17 for' supporting anelectric light socket and lamp, as shown, or any other device' of `thelike. lThe end or" the bolt isScrewfthre-aded as at 18V and formedwitlrakey-way 19 for tegral lwith afwasher 21, andadapted to engage the sideof the splitclamping-block .13,

on the opposite side to that engagedby the Y bridge-block 9, and aclamping-nut 22v'is screwed on 'the screw-threaded end of 'the bolt byineans of which when thefnutis screwed tightupon they bolt thearc-shaped -jaws 16 of the split 'clamping-'block 13 iririnly grip thebracket arm' 17, `and at the saine time the side face 'of thevsplitclainping-block contacts with the' friction bottoni yface 12 ofthe bridge-block 9,

the' standard 4; being i'irinly held byk en-4 gagingrthe upper face ofthe eyeor'perforation 7 formed `1n the bolt and the 'inner Vlegs ofthe-bridgeblocln but allowing 'the flexible aroundthe standard4-at will.A,

' ln Figures A5 Vand'6y l have illustrated a flexible joint in v'whichthe clamping-bolt wing-nut and 'washer are of the saine ,con-

struction `shown and 'described or'lig-V Vuvres 1, 2, Sande, and inthese two ligures vaswell as inligures 7 to 10 both inclusive,

where the Vparts are ojl` the sainev construction, t

the same reference numerals-will `be given thein. ln Figures 5 and 6however the bridge-block 23 is shown` 4in an inverted `positio-n to thatshown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 1, the ends of Vthe legsf211 havingperforations 25 formed therein and extending downA wardly and contactingwith the splitclainp `ing-block. ln these two figures l have theperforations 10, Vformed in the' joint at alltiines to be rotatedY shownthe split clainping-'block`26formed perforations `33 for' the passageTof the standard 4. The head `34 ofthe bolt 5 being Bo'ifiexible oint asbeing applied to a portable formed longitudinallyv cylindrical with Vitsend rounded as at to conform to the shape of the interior of the.cup-shaped bridge-'block SQ, and also has an eye or perforationthereinas at 36 for thepassageof the standard'4.

In Figuresyll vand'211 Ii have shown a flexible joint linlwhich is'use'dan annular -member 37V for a'bridgeeblock, which may be a plain Washer,but preferably having upwardlly extending arc-shaped jaWs 38 at'eachside thereof for engaging the standard 4, as more clearly illustrated inFigure 11,v and inv Figure r12 I lhave shown a'fportion of Ta flexiblejoint having a bridge-block '39 With a rectangular base With outwardlyextending legs 40 with arc-shaped javvs formed therein as at 41 toengage the standard 4. 'i

`With my improved flexible joint when vthe nut is screwed on thethreaded end of theV bolt tight thejoint maybe rotated either around thestandard 4, or the's'plit clamping-j blocks 13 o r 26 and bracket arm 17maybe Vrotated around the bo-lt as their axis of rotation, at will by-aslight push or pull as desired, to give any required angular'adjustment; i

While I have shown and'described my bracket supporting an electriclight, I Wish it understood that it can be used for other purposesequally as Well, Where it is desired t, yto secure similar resultsAlthough I haveshown and describedmy invention in considerable detail, Idoi notI wish to be limited to the exact and specific details shownVand]described but mayV use such substitutions, modifications orequivalents/thereof as are' embraced Within the scope of my invention oras pointed out in the1V claims.

Having thus described myinvention'fvvhat I claim and ,desireY to secure.by Letters Patent is 1. In a flexible joint, comprising apai'ry ofsupporting elements,l a clamping-bolt having a perforatedhead and fiatside faces for receiving one ofthe supporting elements', a bridge-blockU-shaped in cross-section with itsr sides engaging the flat-Side facesof the iead of the bolt mounted on the bolt hav-` ingperforations'therein on each side ofthe bolt in alignment' with the'perforations' formed in the head of the bolt, a resilient clampingmember rotatably mounted upon the clamptngbolt and frictionally engagingtheV bridge-block and adapted to hold the other supporting element, aWasher keyed to the bolt, and a nut on the bolt for in` creasing ordecreasing frictio-nal engagement between the clamping members andsupporting elements.

2. In a flexible joint, compris-ing a pair of supporting elements, aclamp-ingfbolt having a perforated head and vertical`l side fontioninthe head. of .metan `forming ll yjaws Afor. engaging onewofthes'u'pportingi elements, a resilient fclampingmember` rotatablymounted upon rthe vclamping-'bolt and,l frictionally engaging kthebridge-block` having jaws formedtherein adapted Vto hold the othersupporting element, a Washer Vkeyed to thel screw-threaded end. of thebolt and contacting with the resilient lclamping member, and a nut o-nthe screvwthreaded sof end of the bolt Vfor engaging the Washer fori4Vincreasing or decreasingffrictional engagement betweeny the clampingmembers and V supporting elements. j I i In a flexible vjointjeomprisinga pair of rods, a clamping-bolt having a cylindri-.

cal perfo-rated head and screw-threaded end,

a bridge-block U-shaped' in cross-section mounted on thebolt lhavinggrippingY sur--1 faces formed in alignment with the perforation inthehead ofl thebolt'fo-r engaging 1 one of the rods, a resilientclamping member.

rotatably mounted upon the clamping-bolt and engaging the bridge-blockhaving jaws formed therein Vadapted to hold the other` rod, a Washerkeyed tothe `sorevv-threade `l Aend ,of the boltand contacting-with theresilient clamping member, and "a nut'on the screw-threaded endof'thebolt for engaging the Washer for increasing or decreas ingfrictional j engagementv between 'the' clamping members and supportingelements.v 4. In a flexible jointgcomprisinga pair l of rods, aclampingfbolthayingza cylindrical perforated'head and screw-threaded endwith a keyway formed therein," a lbridge-j blook U-shapedincross-section mounted on the bolt having gripping surfaces formed inalignment With the perforation in theI head of the bolt between Whichone of the'r rods iszadapted to be held, a split clamping-'- blockrotatably mounted upon the clamping;-

bolt and engaging the bridge-block,` having jaws formed thereinV at one'side of the bolt Y vadapted to hold the other rod, a vWasher having akeyformed integral therewith mounted on and engaging the keyvvay on thescrew-threaded vend ofthe bolt and4 contacting With'the splitclamping-block, and a nutv Y Y on the screw-threaded end of the b oltforV` engaging the lvvasherfor increasing or del creasing frlctional`engagement Vbetween the clamping members and rods.

5. In a flexible joint, comprising a pair of rods, Ya clamping-bolthaving a cylindrical perforated head formed at right angles to, theshank of the bolt, a U-shaped bridgeblock having Vits legs.V extendingon either gV v ineen-ie' sidev oi' the' head of ther.bolt,zperiiorationsextending-through the head ott-he bolt and" the :legs ofthe"bridge-block'formed in alignmentwith each Vother between which oneof Y the rods is adapted to`be`held,a;split clamping-"blockrotatably'mounted on the .boltand' having oneY side frictionally'engaging` the i io' bridge-block,- jaws ftorined in' Vthe splitclamping-block Vatl one side of the Vbolt for holding. the other rod,'awasher keyed to the boltv and engaging the split clamping-block on thesideoppositeto v.that engaged,A by the bridge-block, and a nut ontheibolt engaging the washer for increasing or decreasing tric' tionalyengagement between thev clamping members Vand rods.l 1 l l 6.1 Ainaflexible joint, comprisingv a pair of rods,'a clamping-bolt having acylindrical heady formed at right angles to the shank ott the bolt, aU-shaped bridge-block having its legs disposed on ether sideof the headof the bolt, perforations extending through the head of the bolt-and thelegsofthe bridgebleek formed in alignment with' each other `'throughwhich one of the rods extend and is adapted to be held, a splitclampingbloclr rotatably mounted uponthe .bolt and rictionally engagingthexbridge-bloclr, hav-- ing jaws formed. therein for holding the "otherrod,a washer keyed to the bolt, and a` nut engaging the washer `forincreasing or decreasing frictional engagement between the rods and.clamping members.

7. In aflexible joint,'coinprising a `pair or' rods-,a clamping-bolthaving a cylindrical head iornied. at right angles to theshank of allyengaging the bridge-block, jaws formed` in thev clamping-block forholding'the other rod, a. lwasher keyed to the bolt'andcontacting withthe clamping-block on the side opposite to that engaged by thebridge-block, and a nut on vthe end of the bolt engaging the washer forincreasing or decreasingifrictional engagement between the rods and theclamping members,

Si.V in a flexible joint, comprising apairot rods, a clamping-'blockhaving. a. screwthreaded'en'dwith akeyway formed therein the .sidesjoftlie lshank'of the bolt, a lU-shap'ed and-.a `head with flat side'faces flush with bridge-bl'ock'jhavingits legs disposed so' as to engagethe tiattsides of' the head ofthe vclamping members and rods.

bolt,`v pertorations extending. through they` head ot the bolt and-thevlegs of the bridge: f j.

block formed in alignment with each other through which'Y one oit therods extend andisf; vadapted to. be held, a split clamping-'blockYrotatably mountedlupon the bolt and. frictionally engaging thebridge-block, jaws,"Y

termed in the split'claiiiping-bloclrV 'at one side of the boltt'orclampingv the otherfrod;

a washer keyed torthe'bolt and contacting withethe split clamping-blockon the side opposite to. that engaging thel bridge-bloelnf.` and a nutonthe end of the bolt-engaging Vthe washer foi-increasing or decreasingfrictional engagement between'therods-and the' clamping members.

9. InA a. iciexible joint, comprising a pair of:

rods, a clamping-bolt having a head with flat side vfaces, a aeil-shapedbridge-bloclr mounted on the bolt' having its legs disposed Vso las toinclosev the flat sides of the head ofi the clamping-bolt', pertorationsextending through the head of the bolt and the legs of the bridge-blockadapted to hold one oi the rods, a splitvr clamping-block rotatablymounted on the bolt havingjaws formed therein for holding the otherrod,a washer keyed tothe bolt and engaging thesplit clamping-block, and anut oiitlie end of the bolt for increasing or decreasingV VfrietionalAengagement between the clamping membersand rods.'

10. In aV flexible joint, comprising a ,pair

of rods, a clamping-bolthaving a `screwthreaded end with a lreywayformed therein,l

said bolt having a head with. flat side faces, Y

a. U-shaped bridge-block mounted on Athe bolt and having its vlegsdisposed on either side of the. flat sidesy of the head of theclamping-bolt,V perforations extending through the heado'fvtlieboltandthe legs of the bridge-block adapted'tohold one otA the rods, vasplit clamping-block rotatably.

Vmounted onY the bolt having'. jaws formed therein at one side-ot thebiolt 'for holding the other. rod`.a washer. having an integral keyformed thereon orengagiiig the keyway formed in the bolt and contactingwith k loro the splitclaiiiping-block, a nut onthe screwthreaded yend ofthe bolt for increasingv orV decreasing iictional engagement Vbetweenthe clamping members and r'ods-V-and means M whereby'the `rods may belrotatedjv in any.

Vdirection without increasing or decreasing engagement between the thefrictional In' witness' whereof I hereunto atiix my signature..

' nenne essayer;

man,...

